G League Showcase Cup: Checking in with G League Ignite’s 2023 NBA Draft prospects

The G League Ignite missed the cut to enter the G League Showcase Cup single-elimination tournament, but the development team will still play two more games in front of NBA scouts, coaches and executives.

For NBA veterans and hopefuls, the G League Showcase Cup, which kicks off on Sunday, December 19, in Las Vegas, gives players a chance to prove they belong in the NBA. For the Ignite development team, it gives young prospects the opportunity to increase their actions heading into the 2023 NBA Draft.

MORE: 2023 Pre-Season NBA Mock Draft: Who Will Be First Pick?

Ignite has a handful of players who are considered NBA prospects and have shown their skills during the start of the G League season. His two Showcase Cup exhibition games will be his last chance to make his mark on NBA bosses before the pre-draft process begins in May.

So who are Ignite’s prospects and what could they bring to an NBA team?

NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock games outside the live market (7-day free trial)

Jaden hardy

Position: GRAM

Height Weight: 6 ft 4, 190 lbs.

Get older: 19

Statistics: 18.0 PTS, 4.5 REB, 3.1 AST, 1.2 STL, 35.4 FG%, 29.4 3P%, 96.0 FT%

Hardy is an explosive combo guard with elite shot creation skills, displaying the ability to score at all three levels. He’s also a capable playmaker, making him one of the most comprehensive offensive threats of his class.

Efficiency hasn’t been a strong point in his only G League season so far, but that’s often a work in progress with young scorers. However, when he does get his shot dropped, it’s a nice sight to watch.

He’s also shown his ability to change speed and direction, using that deflection to his advantage to go downhill and attack the basket, and he’s a canny shot around the basket.

The next step for Hardy in his development as a possible top-five pick is to tighten his grip, which will only make him more deadly as a shot-maker and scorer.

Dyson Daniels

Position: GRAM

Height Weight: 6 ft 6, 199 lbs.

Get older: 18

Statistics: 10.9 PTS, 5.9 REB, 4.4 AST, 1.8 STL, 45.0 FG%, 28.6 3P%, 86.7 FT%

Daniels is a lean defender and scorer who prides himself on the defensive side of the ball with quick hands and lots of energy. His long arms, high defensive IQ and strong anticipation skills produce a ton of deflections, steals and blocks, leading the team with 22 steals on the season.

He’s a solid playmaker and has promising shooting mechanics to one day become a consistent perimeter shooter, and we’ve already seen him become more confident in his jump shot, attempting 3.5 3-pointers per game this season.

In fact, Daniels even buried a game-winning 3-ball for Ignite last week.

The potential lottery pick is still a bit stiff with his ball handling and shot-making skills, but progression with his jump will help in that area and he’s already a smooth spiker around the basket. Daniels has all the tools to be a two-way threat at the next level.

Michael foster

Position: F

Height Weight: 6 ft 9,220 lbs.

Get older: 18

Statistics: 15.6 PTS, 8.7 REB, 1.6 AST, 2.0 BLK, 50.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 70.8 FT%

Foster has the body of a power forward but scores from the perimeter like a wing. He can give you a bucket in several ways, more than comfortable creating for himself from dribbling to getting up for a jump or reaching the rim.

I’m a bit surprised that Foster isn’t getting more consideration in the first round, especially given his development on the defensive end. Offense has always been his strong suit, but he has shown his potential to be a next-level five, leading the Ignite in rebounding and blocking on the season.

Don’t be surprised to see Foster’s name start to appear earlier on more Mock Draft boards moving forward.

MarJon Beauchamp

Position: F

Height Weight: 6 ft 7,175 pounds

Get older: twenty

Statistics: 14.5 PTS, 7.6 REB, 2.3 AST, 1.5 STL, 55.5 FG%, 25.8 3P%, 63.2 FT%

It could be argued that no Ignite prospect has increased his draft stock more than Beauchamp.

The 6-foot-7 winger was known as a capable scorer, but even more so a versatile defender and aggressive rebounder, with his 7-foot span giving him a huge advantage in both areas. With Ignite, he has significantly developed his scoring skills, becoming much more comfortable as a shooter and pilot, using his athleticism to his advantage to finish on and above the rim.

And when you go to rest … watch out.

He has scored 14 or more points in six of his 10 games, including a couple of games where he went for more than 25, really breaking his shell on offense. He’s becoming much more than a spirited rebounder, cutter, or lob finisher, and that bodes well for his future in the NBA.

Add that to his ability to defend multiple positions and Beauchamp may start to see first-round consideration.

It is also worth noting: Scoot Henderson, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard, has also been competing for Ignite this season, but because he dropped out of high school a year earlier and is only 17 years old, he is ineligible for the 2023 NBA Draft. .

The young prospect is averaging 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He had some breaking moments during this Ignite season, scoring 31, 22 and 27 points in three straight games. It will surely be a name to know when the 2023 NBA Draft rolls around.

How to watch G League Ignite in the Showcase Cup